Day Of Antifascist Struggle

The Day of Antifascist Struggle is a public holiday observed annually in Croatia on the 22nd of June. This holiday commemorates the formation of the First Sisak Partisan Detachment in the Independent State of Croatia, which was allied with Axis Forces.

This detachment was created on June 22, 1941, marking the beginning of the uprising of Croatian anti-fascist Partisans against both German and Italian forces occupying the area. The holiday was first established and mandated by law by the Croatian Parliament in 1991.

The History of the Day of Antifascist Struggle

During WWII, German armed forces, along with Hungarian and Italian forces, invaded the Kingdom of Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941. These forces met very little resistance during their invasion of the country, and in under two weeks, Yugoslavia was completely under Axis control.

However, not long after the country had fallen under Axis control, Yugoslavian antifascist forces began to organize. On June 22, 1941, in the woods outside Sisak, the First Sisak Partisan Detachment was formed. This military unit was one of the first in occupied Europe to be created by a resistance movement.

From this initial detachment, the antifascist movement began to grow in the country until more than half a million citizens actively participated in it. Of that half a million, approximately 230,000 were armed fighters. They are considered one of the most effective resistance movements in the entire war effort.

When Croatia gained its independence from the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, the Croatian Parliament established this holiday. It is now mandated by law and observed as a public holiday every June 22nd.

Observing Antifascist Struggle Day in Croatia

One of the most important ceremonies of this holiday is the wreath-laying at the monument to the detachment, located in the memorial park in Brezovica. This wreath-laying ceremony is organized not only by the Sisak city authorities but also by the Croatian Alliance of Antifascist Fighters and Antifascists.

Where is it celebrated?
Croatia (National holiday)
When is it?
This year (2024)
June 22 Saturday
Next year (2025)
June 22 Sunday
Last year (2023)
June 22 Thursday